Broncos Take Caution with Latimer's Foot

Cody Latimer's work has been limited during rookie minicamp while he completes his recovery from foot surgery on Jan. 19.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Rookie minicamp is important for the newest Broncos. But it's not essential -- at least not as much as completing recovery from an injury.

That's why second-round pick Cody Latimer's work has been limited this weekend. Latimer is nearly four months removed from undergoing surgery to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal. Although it healed enough for him to run a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at Indiana's Pro Day, the Broncos have kept him out of situations that would hinder the complete healing process.

"All in all we're going to be smart with his foot and he's doing just fine," Head Coach John Fox said. "We were familiar with it and he'll be more involved by Monday."

In the meantime, Latimer will catch a few passes, but not push the foot to the point of risking injury.

"(I'm) not doing too much cutting. They're doing a good job of treating me and staying on top of it," Latimer said.

And that leaves Latimer with the oft-mentioned "mental reps," to which every player with an injury must turn when he can only watch.

"I'm eager, but you know that's good. I get to get mental reps and learn from everyone else. Seeing what everybody else is doing and how to get coached up from their mistakes. And hoping that when I come out here and I'm able to run I don't make those mistakes.

"So I'm doing a lot of learning and doing a lot of mental reps, so it's good for me."

At that point, the Broncos expect Latimer to begin displaying what they saw on film.

"He's a physical specimen, and when he plays, he plays his size," said Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase. "To see him catch the ball as well as he does and then his blocking is unbelievable. I don't think I've really seen a college guy go after it the way he has in the past, and hopefully he just carries that over to this level."